World sentiments halt travel:
Students changing plans for visits abroad
by Leah Johnson, Reporter

    With anti-American sentiment increasing abroad, many students are changing travel plans this summer-not only vacations but also study abroad programs.
     Study abroad provides a unique learning experience with many advantages.
     Students can appreciate other cultures through hands-on knowledge of their customs, language and everyday habits.
     They also can learn first hand the attitude of other counties toward the United States.
     Best of all, students can have all these experiences while earning college credit.
     Although being far from home for an extended period can be difficult, most students who participate in the program have exceptional experiences.
     Because of the current climate, however, many students have been forced to put their hopes of study abroad on hold, at least temporarily.
     This hold on travel includes TCC students who were enrolled to study in France during this year's Maymester.
     Offered by NE Campus, both the Art Appreciation and Photography II courses scheduled for Paris have been cancelled.
     Both classes had tremendous interest, but according to Martha Gordon, chair of the NE Campus art department and an instructor for the art class, the programs would not have been possible this year because of the political climate.
     "The world situation and the danger would not be conducive to learning," she said.
     Although students may have to postpone their study abroad plans for right now, they retain hope for future semesters.
     According to Gordon, the program's cancellation is just temporary, and the department has every intention of study abroad being offered again beginning next year.
     Several students from UTA and TCU who were planning to study abroad in France and Spain have canceled their trips.
     Amanda Wilson, a TCU student, had planned the whole year to spend six weeks this summer studying French. She had planned to earn six hours of language credit.
     "The decision to not go was really mine, but my parents are much happier I decided not to go," she said.
     Whether planning a trip for academic or recreational reasons, travel safety is a definite concern for everyone.
     However, it is not the only thing that students should consider when making travel plans.
     With the recent outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, all travelers must be especially cautious. Government officials are urging travelers to check for both travel and health warnings before departing on international trips.
     By visiting the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, www.cdc.gov, travelers can receive up-to-date information about all health-related warnings. Before departing on trips, students are also urged to check for any travel warnings, which can be done at www.state.gov.